Hillary Brooke (1914-1999) - Find a Grave... (2025)

Actress. Born in Astoria, New York as Beatrice Sofia Mathilda Peterson. She was educated at Columbia University. To set herself apart from the typical stereo type blonde bombshells of the era, Hillary decided to speak with a British accent. This worked so well that producers who hired her expected to hear a blonde with a British accent on the screen, so she was forced to use the accent whenever she worked, and wound up using it all the time, even off screen. Displaying a flair for comedy, she appeared with Bob Hope in Monsieur Beaucaire in 1946 and Red Skelton in The Fuller Brush Man in 1948 and was a regular as Lou Costello's semi-girlfriend on The Abbott and Costello Show in 1952. Other notable casting calls were The Philadelphia Story in 1940, Lady in the Dark in 1944, Jane Eyre in 1943, Ministry of Fear in 1944, The Enchanted Cottage in 1945 and The Man Who Knew Too Much in 1956. Married twice, first to Jack Voglin, this marriage would end in divorce. The second marriage to Raymond A. Klune, this union would last until his death in 1988. Prior to her acting career, Hillary worked as a photographer's model. For her contribution to the television industry, Hillary Brooke has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6307 Hollywood Boulevard. She died in Bonsall, California from a blood clot in her lung at the age of 84.

Actress. Born in Astoria, New York as Beatrice Sofia Mathilda Peterson. She was educated at Columbia University. To set herself apart from the typical stereo type blonde bombshells of the era, Hillary decided to speak with a British accent. This worked so well that producers who hired her expected to hear a blonde with a British accent on the screen, so she was forced to use the accent whenever she worked, and wound up using it all the time, even off screen. Displaying a flair for comedy, she appeared with Bob Hope in Monsieur Beaucaire in 1946 and Red Skelton in The Fuller Brush Man in 1948 and was a regular as Lou Costello's semi-girlfriend on The Abbott and Costello Show in 1952. Other notable casting calls were The Philadelphia Story in 1940, Lady in the Dark in 1944, Jane Eyre in 1943, Ministry of Fear in 1944, The Enchanted Cottage in 1945 and The Man Who Knew Too Much in 1956. Married twice, first to Jack Voglin, this marriage would end in divorce. The second marriage to Raymond A. Klune, this union would last until his death in 1988. Prior to her acting career, Hillary worked as a photographer's model. For her contribution to the television industry, Hillary Brooke has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6307 Hollywood Boulevard. She died in Bonsall, California from a blood clot in her lung at the age of 84.

Bio by: Shock

Parents

• Oscar Frans Peterson 1878–1964
• Anna Maria Hakanson Peterson 1886–1966

Spouses

• Jack Voglin 1904–1982 (m. 1941)
• Raymond A. Klune 1904–1988

Siblings

• Oscar Herbert Peterson 1907–1995

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